p15_Layout 1 6/28/17 8:34 PM Page 1 THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2017 SPORTS Gidley to retire Geneva to host combined Loew wants dopers at end of season Davis Cup, Fed Cup finals named and shamed LONDON: Former Australian international Kurt Gidley is to retire at the end PARIS: Next year’s Davis Cup and Fed Cup finals will be staged SOCHI: Germany manager Joachim Loew wants the names of any players of the present Super League season bringing the curtain down on a stellar together in Geneva as part of sweeping changes to the team tourna- caught doping to be made public, after Russian football was yesterday 16 year career he announced yesterday. The 35-year-old utility back-who ments, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced yester- accused of tampering with urine samples. A year before they host the was capped 12 times and also represented New South Wales in 12 State of day. A new combined season-ending event, the World Cup of Tennis World Cup, Russian football has come under the spotlight amidst fresh Origin clashes with Queensland-will see out the second year of his contract finals, will be the highlight of a series of historic reforms aimed at allegations of drug abuse. Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, the author with Warrington Wolves before hanging up his boots. Gidley, who prior to transforming the annual national team competitions. The Swiss city of an explosive report into Russian doping, has told German broadcaster coming to England had played for Newcastle Knights in was selected by the ITF board from a shortlist of six candidates across ARD he has new evidence suggesting that positive tests taken Australia captaining them over 120 times, played a pivotal three continents that included Copenhagen, Istanbul, Miami, Turin from Russian players were swopped with clean samples. role in the Wolves reaching both the Grand Final and the and Wuhan. The new format is due to start in November 2018 and run Loew says any footballer caught doping must be Challenge Cup final last season, although they eventually for a three-year period as the ITF looks to get the sport’s top players named and shamed. “It’s an ongoing investigation and lost both. “I’m really grateful that I got the opportunity to to commit to the tournaments on a regular basis in an already I don’t want to heat the speculation,” said Loew in yes- play here at the back end of my career and experience play- crammed tennis schedule. “The creation of the World Cup of Tennis terday’s press conference ahead of Germany’s ing in Super League for a great club,” said Gidley. “I always had finals is at the heart of a series of reforms that represent the most sig- Confederations Cup semi-final against Mexico in Sochi. two years in my own head, signing a one-year deal and then nificant changes in the history of Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP “But if it’s confirmed, I would like to hear the names extending for another year. “I knew deep down that two Paribas,” ITF president David Haggerty said in a statement. “Change is being made public. “The anti-doping agencies and FIFA years was probably the right amount of time although needed to ensure that we maximise the full potential of these iconic (world football’s governing body) should call a spade a I was open to playing more. —AFP and historic competitions. —AFP spade, then we will see what happens. —AFP BASKETBALL Connecticut Sun to celebrate their 15th season tomorrow UNCASVILLE: It’s been 15 years since the other WNBA teams have had sponsorship Connecticut Sun joined the WNBA, and deals with casinos, including Phoenix and right from the start, Mitchell Etess knew the New York, but none are owned by them. team could be prosperous on and off the “It’s got to be the right model clearly for court. With the backing of the Mohegan other sports and a few things would have Sun Casino, the team has flourished and to change for that to happen,” Etess said. been a model for independently owned Connecticut has a natural fan base franchises. because of the success of the Huskies. The “We were the first non-NBA-owned Sun have hosted the All-Star Game numer- team and we were the first to make money,” ous times, as well as the WNBA draft. Both said Etess, who is the team’s president and of those events were extremely meaningful CEO, in a phone interview with The to Etess. Associated Press on Tuesday. “We knew it Tomorrow, the Sun will honor their 15th would be successful. We didn’t go into it season with former players Katie Douglas with any questions in our mind.” and Nykesha Sales coming to the game While there might have been some con- and answering questions at halftime. The cern with a casino owning a franchise, the team will give away commemorative t- WNBA didn’t have too many reservations shirts with the names of the 2003 roster. since there was no sports book where you Rebecca Lobo, who was on that inaugu- could bet on the league. ral team that moved up from Orlando, will “We were able to manage the gambling call tomorrow’s game on national TV. She concern because of the unavailability to had fond memories of her one year with bet on site for our sport,” former WNBA the Sun. “When I found out they were get- President Val Ackerman said. “The other ting a franchise, my first thought was, factors were so overwhelming to let them ‘Could my life turn out so perfectly that I’d be the first independent team.” get to play there?’” Lobo said. “A lot of us The Sun have turned a profit each of the were thrilled to play for a franchise that past six seasons, impressive since the team wanted to do things the right way. They has struggled a bit on the court lately, fail- just didn’t have the time or the know-how WELLINGTON: Wellington Hurricanes’ Wes Goosen scores a try during the rugby union match against the British and Irish Lions at Westpac ing to make the playoffs since 2012. right away.” Stadium in Wellington on Tuesday. — AFP “I think the business metrics from the That first season was put together in beginning were solid,” Ackerman said. “The amazing fashion as the team, which was ability to draw the UConn fan helped. Even previously in Orlando, was approved in RUGBY when they didn’t have former Huskies on January and the season started in April. the team, the same fan would enjoy com- Etess and his group had to find a coach, ing to see players roll through when they players and a practice facility very quickly. played for other teams.” In stepped Mike Thibault as the coach - Coach Gatland eyes forward It helps having a self-contained venue his first time in the WNBA. “I remember Day that has parking, dining and an arena all in One sitting in the arena after my press con- one place, as well as good marketing. ference and saying what had I just done,” reshuffle for second Test “They didn’t have to start from scratch Thibault recalled laughing. “I hadn’t met building a support structure. To me it was any of the players, they had no basketballs, the perfect combination,” Ackerman said. no uniforms and no confirmed practice site. WELLINGTON: British and Irish Lions coach “To this day, it’s still unique in the sport I had a long list of what needed to be done, Warren Gatland has given the strongest indi- marketplace.” Etess said there was some ini- and we just start knocking them off.” cation yet he will overhaul the forward pack Leeds look to tighten tial pushback, but that NBA Commissioner The team surprisingly made the playoffs. found wanting in last week’s first Test loss to David Stern handled it. Connecticut made the finals the next two the All Blacks. As he mulls options for the sec- “The commissioner took the bullet,” he years, losing both times. They made the ond Test in Wellington on Saturday, Gatland up against St Helens said. There haven’t been any other casinos playoffs the first six years they were in was full of praise for the performance of locks that have owned a sports team in any of Connecticut and then twice more, but still Courtney Lawes and Iain Henderson in a 31- LONDON: They say attack is the best form of some good outside backs around them. the four major sports. That may change in are looking for their first title. 31 draw with the Hurricanes on Tuesday defence, and Leeds Rhinos centre Joel Moon is “So it’s an all-round game and we’ve just the future as pro teams have started to “That’s the one thing that is missing, but night. Gatland was impressed with under no illusions that his side need to got to worry about what we do. We’re in good move to Las Vegas with the city getting an hopefully we can compete for one soon,” Henderson’s commitment, even though the improve with the ball in hand this weekend shape with a few good wins and performanc- NFL and NHL franchise this past year. A few Etess said. — AP Irishman cost the Lions dearly when his yel- against St Helens. Brian McDermott’s side es-but it’s a long year and it’s good we have low card let the Hurricanes back into the were beaten 23-12 by league leaders things to work on.” match.